Induction and Orientation
Joining a new school, or returning to school after the summer vacation is often a daunting, and at times an overwhelming affair. At ASM we aim to make that transition smooth by having an orientation session for all staff prior to the start of the school year.
For new staff, ASM offers an Induction and Orientation Program to ensure that they get the required assistance to adapt to the new environment.
The Induction Committee at ASM is comprised of the Principal, Head of School Administration, Curriculum Coordinator and a member of the IT Helpdesk.
I. The Initial Phase
The committee prepares an outline of activities and a method of evaluation.
The principal bears the responsibility for implementing and coordinating the induction program.
II. Orientation Phase
- When the hiring process is completed, the Head of School Administration invites the new employee to visit the school.
- A formal orientation program is planned and all new beginning teachers are required to attend. It will be conducted by the principal and the members of the Induction Committee.
- Orientation is normally held five days before the school opens its doors to students, and involves covering a series of issues. New teachers are required to be in the school upon need and request. Should the hiring process be done during the academic year, this phase is done immediately.
- The orientation program consists of two phases, the first one varying in length (depending on the needs of the new teachers).
In the first phase sessions will be held around:
(1) Making contact. This session will give the new teachers an opportunity to meet the people the teachers will be working with. Key people will be introduced, with a description of how each will assist in their transition.
(2) Part of the big picture. This is the organizational session delivered by the principal. An overview of the school’s vision, belief, goals, and objectives will provide the new teachers with a better idea of how his/her efforts will contribute to the school’s mission. The system will be discussed, and the organizational structure of the school will be explained.
(3) In School. This session will give them a tour of the school building.
(4) Student matters. During this session, run by the Head of School Administration, new teachers will receive information on contract signing, schedule, allocation of materials and supplies, rooming, and the process for issuing textbooks to students and other materials.
This is followed by a session with the Principal on topics that include classroom rules and expectations, grading, lesson plans preparation, lesson observations, suspension and expulsion, classroom management, positive reinforcement strategies, Teachers’ Handbook, etc.
The Curriculum Coordinator, a member of the Curriculum Mapping Committee, has a session with new teachers to clarify curriculum expectations, development of units, yearly, monthly and daily plans. During this session, the Curriculum Coordinator also focuses in detail on lesson planning requirements. It is the responsibility of the Curriculum Coordinator to allocate unlimited time to work with and assist new teachers at the start of the school year and ensure a smooth start of the teaching instruction of the new teachers.
The IT Helpdesk creates new ASM accounts for teachers. They go through the IT Policies of the school and most importantly TODCM/SchoolTool, i.e. how teachers are required to select students from the database, select category weights, how to record grades and absences, how to upload lesson plans, links, resources. It is the responsibility of the IT Helpdesk to allocate unlimited time to work with and assist new teachers at the start of the school year and ensure a smooth start of the teaching instruction of the new teachers in line with the school requirements.
The second phase of the orientation program occurs upon the return of all staff. This is when the Principal conducts the first staff meeting and reviews all schedules, policies, procedures. New teachers are introduced to existing members of staff. After the staff meeting, if new teachers deem necessary, they may meet individually or in a group with any member of the Induction Committee for further clarification on any issues that may have arisen.
New teachers must bear in mind that the Induction Committee allocates unlimited time to work with and assist them in getting to grips with the school’s structure, the materials to be used in teaching and the strategies for learning that American School Macedonia would like the teacher to use in his or her classroom.
New teachers must be sure to remember that the Principal’s office is always open for them and the Principal is at hand at all times to assist in any issue a teacher may have, be it dealing with a student to teaching styles. The Principal’s office is open to new teachers daily. New teachers are encouraged to come to the Principal’s office for an informal chat regarding their progress or any issues they may have.
III. The Operation Phase
During the first month of school, the Principal monitors the performance of the beginning teacher carefully by visiting their classroom and initiating regular informal discussions with them. From these discussions, the principal and the teacher will identify areas of interest and/or concerns which will be addressed in an individually designed program for professional growth such as clinical supervision and/or through a staff development program suited for teachers.
IV. The Evaluation Phase
This phase occurs at the end of the school year. The Principal and the new teachers will evaluate the growth achieved and discuss future plans.